Photo/Illutration A shooting star from the Geminid meteor shower is spotted in the night sky over Tokyo's Minato Ward on Dec. 11, 2018. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Night owls this weekend can enjoy one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, with the Geminids blazing trails in the night sky between late on Dec. 13 and dawn on Dec. 15. 

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, many shooting stars are expected to be visible starting late on the evening of Dec. 13.

While cloudy skies are in the forecast for some areas, between midnight and 4 a.m. on Dec. 14, observers in dark locations could potentially see about 40 to 45 meteors per hour.

Furthermore, the peak for the highest meteor activity is expected from the night of Dec. 14 to the early morning of Dec. 15.

During the period from around 11 p.m. on Dec. 14 to 2 a.m. on Dec. 15, approximately 50 meteors per hour are likely to be spotted.

The key to observation is to focus on the radiant point near the constellation Gemini and scan as wide an area of the sky as possible.

Skywatchers are urged to continue observing uninterrupted by lights for at least 15 minutes to allow their eyes to become adapted to the darkness, along with dressing warmly for the winter chill. 

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